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Strengths and strategic advantages of methods for the recording of indigenous knowledge (IK)

The following table highlights the specific strengths and strategic advantages of methods suitable for the recording of indigenous knowledge.

The table has been adapted from Mathias 1995:23. For details of the different methods, see IIRR 1996.

Research question	Method especially suitable
What are the practices?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Survey Field observation Transect Mapping Local histories Seasonal pattern Matrix Webbing Taxonomies Venn diagram Use of drawings Sorting and ranking Role play Photo documentation Participatory video
How are they done?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Field observation Role play Photo documentation Participatory video
Why are they done?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Matrix Webbing
Who is doing them or who knows about them?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Survey Field observation Role play Photo documentation Participatory video
Where are they done?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Survey Field observation Transect Mapping Photo documentation Participatory video
When are they done?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Survey Field observation Local histories Seasonal pattern
How often are they done?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Survey
How wide-spread is a specific practice in a community?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Survey
How effective is the practice?	Informal interview Key informant panel Focus groups Case studies Participant observation Sorting and ranking

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This site is maintained by Evelyn Mathias	Updated 07 October 2002